- The Expedition
- Meet the Team
San Salvador Island, Bahamas — Coral reefs are at serious risk due to climate change, coastal development, over fishing, and other environmental stressors. One of the first signs that corals are in trouble is coral bleaching, when algae living within the reef organism fail during environmental stress, leaving the coral colorless and leaving area fish without nutrition. Prolonged bleaching kills coral, with drastic impacts on marine biodiversity, fisheries, tourism, and shore protection—and bleachings are on a dramatic rise worldwide. Coral diseases have also been increasing with alarming regularity, due perhaps in part to global warming, which may also be making making more and more severe storms, which can inflict their own damage on reefs.
Scientists John Rollino, Dr. Garriet Smith (University of South Carolina at Aiken) and Thomas McGrath (Corning Community College) have the longest-running experiment and data set on coral reefs in the world, with more than 15 years worth of information. While efforts to improve our understanding of the threats to reefs must continue, in recent years Dr. Rollino and his colleagues have also increased their emphasis on testing methods that might allow reefs to recover, from performing underwater “repairs” on some reefs to providing others with artificial materials that might save their underlying struture.
Find out more about this expedition.
RESOURCES
Earthwatch expedition briefing
Essential information for the expedition - daily schedule, research area details, project conditions etc.
Earthwatch Classroom Earth Case Study
A series of case studies that outline the background, field research methods, and outcomes of Earthwatch-supported projects throughout the world.
Photo gallery from the expedition.
Year on Earth. Video clip overview of environmental issues facing the coral reefs and various tools used to survey the reefs as told by three students volunteering on the Bahamian Reef Survey expedition.
Coral Reef Curriculum Resources provided by NOAA
Lesson plan looking at Coral Bleaching from NASA satellite data
Follow our blogs as we experience our Earthwatch expedition Bahamian Reef Survey February 14-21, 2009.
The Live From the Field program and educator fellowships are made possible by generous funding from HSBC in the Community.
This site is the result of collaborative efforts from the members of this Earthwatch project
and the support of Earthwatch Institute.
Meet the Teachers
Vida Ruggero, 39, is a K-4 Spanish teacher in Michigan. She holds a B.A. in Spanish and a M.A. in Curriculum and Teaching from Michigan State University. She has studied Spanish in Spain and Mexico. She enjoys camping, sailing, skiing, hiking and marital arts with her son, Carlo.
Blog: Earthwatch2.org/LFF/Ruggero
Nina Diemer graduated from Villanova University with a degree in political science and a minor in economics. After college, she was inspired to teach in Chicago's inner-city schools. She has been teaching at the same school, Our Lady of the Gardens, for the past five years. Nina received her Master's of Science in Elementary Education from Northwestern University in 2008. She is excited to learn from scientists in the field and transfer this knowledge back to her first grade students.
Blog: Earthwatch2.org/LFF/Diemer
Hi! I am Bridget Cole. This is my fourth year teaching 4th grade in Castle Rock, Colorado. I have my BS degree from the University of Vermont and a Masters in Teaching. I have been teaching for about 12 years both in Colorado and Vermont. Before teaching I had a dairy farm where I milked 60 Jersey cows. Nature and science have always been an interest of mine.
I am looking forward to learning about the coral reefs of the Bahamas. I have never traveled to this part of the world, or anywhere like it, and am excited about experiencing first hand its beauty. Reporting back to my students and fellow teachers will be a great opportunity to share my learning and experiences.
Blog: Earthwatch2.org/LFF/cole
Scott Klug - I'm a science teacher from Newberg High in my 19th year of teaching. I went to Oregon State University for 2 years but received my BS and MS in Secondary Education from Western Oregon State College. I am certified to teach all sciences in Oregon except physics. I coach football and announce girl's basketball at Newberg. I live in Keizer, Oregon and love to spend time with my wife of 20 years, Christi, and my dog Jack.
Blog: Earthwatch2.org/LFF/klug
My name is Karen Ginsberg Beroldo. I teach seventh and eighth grade science at Park Day School in Oakland ,CA. I have taught science for 28 years. I am excited (thrilled, and enthralled) to have been chosen as an Earthwatch Fellow. I see the Bahamian Reef Survey project as a chance of a lifetime to share my enthusiasm and concern about my environment with my community in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.
Blog: Earthwatch2.org/LFF/Beroldo
Rick Voskuil - I have a Master of Science Degree (Environmental Education) from Nova Southeastern University and a certification in Coastal Zone Management. During my tenure as a science educator, I have guided more than nine hundred middle and high school students from the Mid-West (and now Florida) through aquatic/coastal exploratory experiences. Currently, I am a 7th grade Science teacher at Madeira Beach Middle School. My wife, Kathryn and I reside in Madeira Beach, Florida with our 2 dogs, Lilly and Oakley.
Blog: Earthwatch2.org/LFF/Voskuil
Shelby Semmes is a Corporate Fellowship Coordinator with Earthwatch, primarily supporting the organization’s work with the HSBC Climate Partnership. She is passionate about the role that forested ecosystems play in climate change mitigation and adaptation. Given that it’s February in New England however, she’s thrilled to put a pause on her terrestrial interests, to participate in the Bahamian Reef Survey project and learn how marine ecosystems are responding to the same threats. She’ll be serving as facilitator of the Live From The Field technical needs and educational support. Shelby can’t wait to meet the team!
Meet the Scientist
John Rollino, is a Senior Ecologist with Earth Tech, Inc., one of the world’s largest consulting engineering firms. John has designed and implemented numerous ecological studies as well as co-authored countless environmental documents for public review. He did his graduate work at Montclair (NJ) State University, where he earned an M.S. in Geoscience and an M.A. in Environmental Studies. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Upsala College, also in New Jersey. John is a certified Advanced Open Water Diver with additional Rescue Diver Training. He oversees expedition logistics on the island, instruction, team assignments and supervision, training, lecturing and data analysis. John lives in New Jersey, though he was born and raised in New York In his free time John enjoys cooking, hiking and puns.
| Nassau, The Bahamas |
Earthwatch Expedition Briefing
Earthwatch Classroom Earth Case Study
Photographs from the expedition
Year on Earth. Video clip overview of environmental issues facing the coral reefs and various tools used to survey the reefs as told by three students volunteering on the Bahamian Reef Survey expedition.
Blogs from previous teams:
Heather Brown
Young Achievers Science and Math Pilot School
Jamaica Plain, MA
Blog: http://www.earthwatch2.org/LFF/brown/
Sherrill Dappan
Saint Helena Elementary School
Napa Valley, CA
Blog: http://www.earthwatch2.org/LFF/dappen/
Denise Deghi
San Mateo Park School
San Mateo, CA
Blog: http://www.earthwatch2.org/LFF/deghi/
Sarah Hahn
Community Academy of Science and Health
Hyde Park, MA
Blog: http://www.earthwatch2.org/LFF/boston/
Grace Hancock
Hanover Park High School
Florham Park, NJ
Blog: http://hornetunderwater.blogspot.com
Sarah Mitchell
Johnson Middle School
Bradenton, FL
Blog: http://xit.manatee.k12.fl.us/?blog=SMitchell
Shea Pickelner
City Academy
Salt Lake City, UT
Blog: http://www.earthwatch2.org/LFF/pickelner/
Karen Stein
Ridgedale Middle School
Florham Park, NJ
Blog: http://mrsstein.blogspot.com
Consuela Taylor
Charles R. Drew Charter School
Atlanta GA
Blog: http://www.earthwatch2.org/LFF/taylor/
Kristina Willmarth
Lydia Hawk Elementary School in
Lacey, WA
Blog: http://www.earthwatch2.org/LFF/willmarth/
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